TCS named IT partner for Tata Chemicals

BANGALORE: Tata Consultancy Services has been appointed by Tata Chemicals as

its strategic IT partner under a 10 year outsourcing arrangement. Outsourcing of

IT and core technology functions is expected to be a significant business area

for TCS from the global manufacturing and process industry sector. The

Manufacturing Practice is expected to account for 20 per cent of TCS' revenue in

2001-02.

The 10-year strategic alliance with Tata Chemicals will bring to bear TCS'

cross-functional expertise in deploying processes, technologies and systems that

would integrate Tata Chemicals' extended supply chain. Under this contract, TCS

will also supervise the planning and implementation of all plant automation and

optimization systems. Group company Tata Honeywell has been awarded the contract

for commissioning automation systems at the soda ash plant in Mithapur, Gujarat.

TCS will provide basic IT applications and infrastructure services support as

well as high end technology solutions to Tata Chemicals at all its operating

locations. Tata Chemicals managers will increasingly use automated decision

support systems that will track key performance indicators in the areas of

procurement, inventory, production, plant maintenance, sales and distribution.

"TCS believes that the use of IT-based solutions in the manufacturing

industry offers a significant opportunity to the industry to enhance its

competitive advantage by improving productivity. Our alliance with Tata

Chemicals and the key role that we will play in their business plan for the next

10 years is a milestone in TCS' quest for becoming a Global Top 10 consulting

enterprise," said, TCS CEO S. Ramadorai.

Tata Chemicals managing director Prasad Menon said, "We are working with

TCS to streamline our processes and effectively address key business drivers for

Tata Chemicals. Over the next two years, TCS will work with us to integrate

e-business applications, enterprise systems and production systems. This will

ensure the availability of consistent and timely information across the

organization."

TCS' Manufacturing Practice provides high-end consulting and IT-based

solutions to a wide spectrum of continuous process and discrete manufacturing

industries. The Practice's product and service offerings help companies improve

their performance by leveraging the power of the Internet to drive improved

efficiencies across the value stream of the enterprise.

The Manufacturing Practice focuses on developing solutions based on business

and technology components for the Automobile and Auto Components, Cement,

Refining, Chemicals and Minerals and Metals industries globally.

The Practice has developed two leading edge products - CemPac, a suite of

productivity solutions for the cement industry already implemented and

delivering measurable value at several cement plants in the country, and FACTORe,

for automation and streamlining of the maintenance management function in

plants.